Spalding’s Chain Bridge Forge Museum wants to attract more people to get involved and ensure its continuity for many more years to come.
The museum in High Street is close to celebrating its tenth year and is looking ahead to its next period. To this end, it is looking to strengthen its team of volunteers and management team.
Geoff Taylor, one of eight directors, said: “We’ve all been doing it for ten years and it’s time to refresh that. We’re looking for new people, making sure the forge’s future is in good hands for many more years.”
An open weekend at the forge on Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15, will provide an opportunity for the local community to see and experience the activities which go on there and for anyone able to spare a few hours a month to talk about the range of roles available.
The weekend (both days 10am-2pm) will run across two sites. The forge will have a demonstration of blacksmithing and the Ivo Centre, just across the river in Albion Street, will host the museum’s virtual reality equipment, 3D pens and printers and demonstration of its church tours.
On the Saturday at the forge the public will be able to watch taster blacksmith sessions taking place. The majority of the slots (£60 half day, £120 full day) are already booked but one or two more people could be accommodated. Call 07960 587724 or email forge@heritagesouthholland.co.uk to find out more.
The church tours have been developed in conjunction with Spalding High School student Georgie Van Dyke and Spalding Photographic Club. Using drone footage, models of churches in Quadring and Lutton have been 3D printed. The next in line is St Mary’s at Long Sutton.
The development of the museum has fulfilled the dream of the late former owner Geoff Dodd who wanted it to become a place of education and to tell the story of his life.
The forge has created a large online local history collection at www.heritagesouthholland.co.uk and does outreach events and talks.
Mr Taylor says the directors have plans for further expansion.
“In the future we want to raise our profile and value perceived by the community,” he said.
Ideas include:
n explore the possibility of creating a Community Share Company and purchase the freehold of the forge
n create acommunity cafe and terrace on the riverbank
n engage young people with augmented and vitual reality
To watch a video by The Arts Council explaining the museum’s work visit https://youtu.be/3MpUtirLt5g
